Healthy Eating

Healthy eating starts by making informed food choices. Choosing a variety of nutrient-rich foods as the foundation of what you eat can help you live a longer, healthier life. Tufts experts keep you up to date on everything from shopping for the best meats, fish, fruits and vegetables to nutrition-smart food preparation and more.

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Vitamins & Supplements

The best way to get the nutrients your body needs is by eating a balanced diet. But it's not always easy to meet your daily requirements of certain nutrients from food alone. Tufts experts separate the facts from the hype on supplements. You'll find unbiased information on vitamins like B-complex, C, D and E, supplements like omega-3 and lutein and essential minerals like magnesium and potassium and how they can protect or, in high doses, even harm your health.

Exercise & Mobility

The health benefits of regular exercise and physical activity are hard to ignore. Exercise can prevent weight gain, help you lose weight, reduce your risk for chronic diseases, even improve your mood. There are many ways for older adults to include physical activity and promote mobility. You'll discover in-depth ideas for protecting your mobility and independence, and receive the latest news on joint health, inflammation, and healthy bones.

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Healthy Heart

A healthy heart is essential to remaining active and full of energy. Protecting your heart is easier than you might think. Taking steps such as limiting certain fats and including "good fats" that improve your cholesterol can reduce your risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack and stroke. You'll learn about the most important steps you can take to ensure a healthy heart from the experts at Tufts.

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Healthy Mind

Understanding how our brain functions is related to what we eat is an emerging area of fascinating scientific discovery. Learn how certain foods and nutrients affect cognition, and get the facts about brain-boosting foods such as green tea and dark chocolate so you can live the most mentally healthy lifestyle possible for years to come.

Healthy Aging

Feeling fit and well will help you get the most out of your everyday life as you age. Tufts experts will give you the knowledge to manage your health and offer tips on to increase your energy and maintain your independence. Stay on top of the latest health research to get the most out of life.

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Ask Tufts Experts August 2018 Issue

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Q. I see carrageenan on the ingredient list of my organic almond milk. What is this, why do they add it, and is it safe?

A. Allie Hosmer, a master’s candidate and dietetic intern at Tufts University, Frances Stern Nutrition Center, answers: “Carrageenan, which is extracted from red seaweed, is an FDA-approved additive used as a thickening agent, stabilizer, and emulsifier. Almond milk companies add carrageenan to their products because it stabilizes the milk and prevents a gritty layer of ground almonds from settling to the bottom of the container. It also contributes to almond milk’s creamy texture.”

“Questions have been raised as to the safety of carrageenan. Some animal studies have observed an association between carrageenan intake and intestinal inflammation and colon cancer, but animal studies cannot be generalized to humans due to variations in metabolism between species. While no studies have been done in humans, some studies that exposed human intestinal cells to very high concentrations of carrageenan in the lab did find increased inflammatory markers. Still, on the basis of all available science and the current levels in the food supply, the FDA and other international regulatory authorities have repeatedly ruled that carrageenan is safe.”

“The National Organic Standards Board recently recommended removing carrageenan from the list of additives approved for use in organic foods, but this decision was not based on safety concerns. The USDA decided to allow carrageenan to remain in organic foods, because manufacturers argued that there is no good alternative. For example, some almond milk companies have removed carrageenan from their products, but multiple additives are needed to attain the same textural properties.”